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Brew Diligence
Just as Maya thinks she can relax into recovery and a budding romance with a demon general, the afterlife throws her a curveball.
The Grim Reaper who saved her wasn’t just locked away—he was erased from existence.
What starts as a rescue mission quickly becomes a masterclass in magical bureaucracy, inter-realm politics, and one seriously unhinged plot twist.
Join Maya as she blogs her way through enough supernatural shenanigans to short-circuit reality.
The Grim Reaper who saved her wasn’t just locked away—he was erased from existence.
What starts as a rescue mission quickly becomes a masterclass in magical bureaucracy, inter-realm politics, and one seriously unhinged plot twist.
Join Maya as she blogs her way through enough supernatural shenanigans to short-circuit reality.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2025
241 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Lara McKenzie
5 books38 followersLara McKenzie writes quirky, heartfelt stories brewed with humour, magic, and a splash of rebellion.
With a love for sharp wit, morally grey characters, and slow-burn tension, Lara blends the cosy and the chaotic into stories that linger like your favourite cup of coffee.
When she's not writing, you’ll find her researching weird folklore, chasing plot bunnies, or perfecting her latte art (with mixed success).
With a love for sharp wit, morally grey characters, and slow-burn tension, Lara blends the cosy and the chaotic into stories that linger like your favourite cup of coffee.
When she's not writing, you’ll find her researching weird folklore, chasing plot bunnies, or perfecting her latte art (with mixed success).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 15, 2025
Maya's supernatural coffee shop-based blog is a viral hit. She's now moved out on her own, has a shadow demon warrior boyfriend and has survived a supernatural serial killer. But all is not great, because Gary the Reaper who saved Maya has been erased from existence because of his interference. With the full force of her found family and online presence, Maya sets out to get him back.
This series continues to be a wonderful example of the cozy fantasy genre. Possibly the only thing not to like is that it can be repetitive, and Maya's quirky observations that follow the pattern of describing something as with eventually start to grate, and your tolerance for this is going to have an effect on how much you enjoy an entire novel of that.
Still, if you like your modern fantasy with a dose of humour and emotional vulnerability, then you will enjoy this series.
This series continues to be a wonderful example of the cozy fantasy genre. Possibly the only thing not to like is that it can be repetitive, and Maya's quirky observations that follow the pattern of describing something as with eventually start to grate, and your tolerance for this is going to have an effect on how much you enjoy an entire novel of that.
Still, if you like your modern fantasy with a dose of humour and emotional vulnerability, then you will enjoy this series.
July 9, 2025
Soulbnded Read
Book two was just as great as book 1. I loved seeing the growth in the MFC + we also got to see and read Charlotte’s POV. There were some SHOCKING events in this book but Maya pulled through and her found family was with her the entire was (including Scorpion) Maya is getting to experience healthy relationships, experience healthy family life, speak up for friends and see how far she has come herself. The book is humorous but tackles some heavy subjects in a delicate, sensitive manner. Looking forward to book 3. ( would love a Charlotte and Nico book or a Diannaya and Brody)
Book two was just as great as book 1. I loved seeing the growth in the MFC + we also got to see and read Charlotte’s POV. There were some SHOCKING events in this book but Maya pulled through and her found family was with her the entire was (including Scorpion) Maya is getting to experience healthy relationships, experience healthy family life, speak up for friends and see how far she has come herself. The book is humorous but tackles some heavy subjects in a delicate, sensitive manner. Looking forward to book 3. ( would love a Charlotte and Nico book or a Diannaya and Brody)
September 20, 2025
I love a good cosy, supernatural mystery. This series is so lovely. I'm being cosy: coffee, cookie, cardigan, comfy pants, cat. Now, all I need is the supernatural mystery. 👻
September 21, 2025
Rating: 5⭐️+
“I’ve had some revelations since moving into my own place:
-Living alone means no witnesses to my weirdness, which is empowering until you accidentally flood the kitchen while making noodles. Fairy lights are an emotional support infrastructure. -There is no middle ground between I am thriving and I just organised my socks by emotional damage level. -There is no such thing as too many mugs.”
From Maya’s Blog, readership is now climbing up to the millions.
When we last saw Maya, she’d left her abusive family and finally gotten the one room apartment that she had wanted, decorated with fairy lights and a coffee mug. Safe. But Gary the Grim Reaper who had helped saved her from the serial killer was missing, presumably because he violated his own laws.
Brew Diligence, a book of endless quotable sentences and incredibly moving moments, follows the same perfect format and flow of the first book. Maya, our brave woman barista continues to blog about her experiences to her followers who became her friends and family.
From 5 to millions, chapters of her moving forward, overcoming some huge challenges with hilarious stories and enormous amounts of pain and anxiety. And bravery.
Now she and her friends who are also her colleagues are in the midst of the fight to free Gary the Grim Reaper from his prison sentence for helping her escape from the serial killer.
Gary, another fabulous character, is missing not from the story but from the hole he left behind in the close relationships he formed. Plus his ghost cat, too, who left behind, is ruling the apartment at Maya’s.
There’s so much trauma and emotional scars here in this story. It’s balanced by the author’s carefully crafted humor and sensitivity to the subject matter and scenes. Hilarity and horror. Love and hate. Death and rebirth.
Despair and hope. It’s brilliant and brutal that all these things exist within this universe, these characters and their stories.
Is this really only the second book? Surely not. I’m astonished at the fact that this is so amazing on every level of excellence.
Yes, highly recommended. If I had more stars in the rating, they’d be there. So many stars!
Love this so much! Including the covers.
Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.
MAYA’S BLOGS:
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5 (coming soon)
“I’ve had some revelations since moving into my own place:
-Living alone means no witnesses to my weirdness, which is empowering until you accidentally flood the kitchen while making noodles. Fairy lights are an emotional support infrastructure. -There is no middle ground between I am thriving and I just organised my socks by emotional damage level. -There is no such thing as too many mugs.”
From Maya’s Blog, readership is now climbing up to the millions.
When we last saw Maya, she’d left her abusive family and finally gotten the one room apartment that she had wanted, decorated with fairy lights and a coffee mug. Safe. But Gary the Grim Reaper who had helped saved her from the serial killer was missing, presumably because he violated his own laws.
Brew Diligence, a book of endless quotable sentences and incredibly moving moments, follows the same perfect format and flow of the first book. Maya, our brave woman barista continues to blog about her experiences to her followers who became her friends and family.
From 5 to millions, chapters of her moving forward, overcoming some huge challenges with hilarious stories and enormous amounts of pain and anxiety. And bravery.
Now she and her friends who are also her colleagues are in the midst of the fight to free Gary the Grim Reaper from his prison sentence for helping her escape from the serial killer.
Gary, another fabulous character, is missing not from the story but from the hole he left behind in the close relationships he formed. Plus his ghost cat, too, who left behind, is ruling the apartment at Maya’s.
There’s so much trauma and emotional scars here in this story. It’s balanced by the author’s carefully crafted humor and sensitivity to the subject matter and scenes. Hilarity and horror. Love and hate. Death and rebirth.
Despair and hope. It’s brilliant and brutal that all these things exist within this universe, these characters and their stories.
Is this really only the second book? Surely not. I’m astonished at the fact that this is so amazing on every level of excellence.
Yes, highly recommended. If I had more stars in the rating, they’d be there. So many stars!
Love this so much! Including the covers.
Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.
MAYA’S BLOGS:
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5 (coming soon)
September 10, 2025
I didn’t realize there was a second book
I was a little disappointed when I discovered this book existed. There’s usually the curse of the second book, right? And the chapter 38 ripped my heart out to play disc golf. After that? 100% emotionally captivated. Not that I wasn’t amused before, but I actually gasped, tried to reign in the feelings by pressing on my face and chest, laughed out loud, and had to hold back tears. It was a roller coaster.
Biggest issue for me was that there were 2 dates that I’m pretty sure were typos, not flashbacks - as in, the previous and following chapters said June/July but the middle one said January - but other than that, it was great. Love the commenter SteamyWarlord and am totally shipping him with sooooo many other “commenters”, lol
I was a little disappointed when I discovered this book existed. There’s usually the curse of the second book, right? And the chapter 38 ripped my heart out to play disc golf. After that? 100% emotionally captivated. Not that I wasn’t amused before, but I actually gasped, tried to reign in the feelings by pressing on my face and chest, laughed out loud, and had to hold back tears. It was a roller coaster.
Biggest issue for me was that there were 2 dates that I’m pretty sure were typos, not flashbacks - as in, the previous and following chapters said June/July but the middle one said January - but other than that, it was great. Love the commenter SteamyWarlord and am totally shipping him with sooooo many other “commenters”, lol
June 25, 2025
Hooked
I was unsure of this book. When I started reading the first book with its unique approach, I was unsure if I was going to continue reading. What kept me reading? The story line, the main character , all of the characters, really. I was pulled in with the storyline. The author brought out real emotions and trauma in a quirky, superworldly way. My heart was in my throat, and I was truly invested with the second book. I haven't looked further yet to see if there is another book yet. Gosh, I hope so! I have read so many books in my life that this was like finding a diamond in the rough. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul.
I was unsure of this book. When I started reading the first book with its unique approach, I was unsure if I was going to continue reading. What kept me reading? The story line, the main character , all of the characters, really. I was pulled in with the storyline. The author brought out real emotions and trauma in a quirky, superworldly way. My heart was in my throat, and I was truly invested with the second book. I haven't looked further yet to see if there is another book yet. Gosh, I hope so! I have read so many books in my life that this was like finding a diamond in the rough. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul.
July 3, 2025
Oh my!
Book two certainly didn't let me down. ❤❤❤
More madness, lattes, muffins and LOVE! Sigh.
A Warlock that needs putting down.
Rescuing Death.
A ghost cat and ghost crustacean.
A Demon mother, who loves you more than your own parents could ever.
A death, Mermaid kiss, bringing back from that brink.
The hunt for the Warlock.
The life still moving on. Even if she smells of fish!
I adore Lara's writing. Her characters are fantastic, the snark, legendary.
Watching Maya stumble through her life and after life, so damn good.
I do want more 😁😁😁😁🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤❤
Book two certainly didn't let me down. ❤❤❤
More madness, lattes, muffins and LOVE! Sigh.
A Warlock that needs putting down.
Rescuing Death.
A ghost cat and ghost crustacean.
A Demon mother, who loves you more than your own parents could ever.
A death, Mermaid kiss, bringing back from that brink.
The hunt for the Warlock.
The life still moving on. Even if she smells of fish!
I adore Lara's writing. Her characters are fantastic, the snark, legendary.
Watching Maya stumble through her life and after life, so damn good.
I do want more 😁😁😁😁🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤❤
July 7, 2025
I absolutely adore Maya and everything she gets up to. I love everything about this book and can't wait to read the next one. It's highly entertaining and makes you feel good like a good snuggle hug. Heavily invested in hers and Scorpion's romance and am totally sad that none of its real!
July 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Just the right mix of fun and romance and seriousness. A good follow up to the first book. Met some great characters. Took a second to get use to the way it was written but after that it was great. Hope the author continues this series. Dying to know more about the other characters stories. Plus, got to hear more about Princess.
July 13, 2025
Amazing books
These books are addictive. I laughed, I teared up, I love the writing style! These are books that you shouldn't start reading if you have to wake up early tomorrow.
These books are addictive. I laughed, I teared up, I love the writing style! These are books that you shouldn't start reading if you have to wake up early tomorrow.
October 22, 2025
Positively delightful!
Loved this just as much as the first! Loved the puns and many moments made me absolutely guffaw! I'm 100% making a sweater that says, "Healing is my revenge arc" for a DV victim friend!
Loved this just as much as the first! Loved the puns and many moments made me absolutely guffaw! I'm 100% making a sweater that says, "Healing is my revenge arc" for a DV victim friend!
June 27, 2025
Love this series!
I laughed out loud enough that members of my family had to read this series too.
Keep up the good work, Laura!!
I laughed out loud enough that members of my family had to read this series too.
Keep up the good work, Laura!!
July 12, 2025
Great read
I wasn't sure I would like the whole "blog" aspect but it works! Very good reading. It has a little of everything..highly recommend series
I wasn't sure I would like the whole "blog" aspect but it works! Very good reading. It has a little of everything..highly recommend series
July 13, 2025
I think this is perfect
Love the writing style. So new - great story excellent delivery. Do yourself a favor don't start before bed. Oh well sleep is overrated!
Love the writing style. So new - great story excellent delivery. Do yourself a favor don't start before bed. Oh well sleep is overrated!
August 5, 2025
This is the second book in the series and I loved it too, but the plot device of blog posts then comments is starting to feel repetitive.
September 21, 2025
Yes, highly recommended. If I had more stars in the rating, they’d be there. So many stars!
Rating: 5⭐️+
“I’ve had some revelations since moving into my own place:
-Living alone means no witnesses to my weirdness, which is empowering until you accidentally flood the kitchen while making noodles. Fairy lights are an emotional support infrastructure. -There is no middle ground between I am thriving and I just organised my socks by emotional damage level. -There is no such thing as too many mugs.”
From Maya’s Blog, readership is now climbing up to the millions.
When we last saw Maya, she’d left her abusive family and finally gotten the one room apartment that she had wanted, decorated with fairy lights and a coffee mug. Safe. But Gary the Grim Reaper who had helped saved her from the serial killer was missing, presumably because he violated his own laws.
Brew Diligence, a book of endless quotable sentences and incredibly moving moments, follows the same perfect format and flow of the first book. Maya, our brave woman barista continues to blog about her experiences to her followers who became her friends and family.
From 5 to millions, chapters of her moving forward, overcoming some huge challenges with hilarious stories and enormous amounts of pain and anxiety. And bravery.
Now she and her friends who are also her colleagues are in the midst of the fight to free Gary the Grim Reaper from his prison sentence for helping her escape from the serial killer.
Gary, another fabulous character, is missing not from the story but from the hole he left behind in the close relationships he formed. Plus his ghost cat, too, who left behind, is ruling the apartment at Maya’s.
There’s so much trauma and emotional scars here in this story. It’s balanced by the author’s carefully crafted humor and sensitivity to the subject matter and scenes. Hilarity and horror. Love and hate. Death and rebirth.
Despair and hope. It’s brilliant and brutal that all these things exist within this universe, these characters and their stories.
Is this really only the second book? Surely not. I’m astonished at the fact that this is so amazing on every level of excellence.
Yes, highly recommended. If I had more stars in the rating, they’d be there. So many stars!
Love this so much! Including the covers.
Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.
MAYA’S BLOGS:
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5 (coming soon)
Rating: 5⭐️+
“I’ve had some revelations since moving into my own place:
-Living alone means no witnesses to my weirdness, which is empowering until you accidentally flood the kitchen while making noodles. Fairy lights are an emotional support infrastructure. -There is no middle ground between I am thriving and I just organised my socks by emotional damage level. -There is no such thing as too many mugs.”
From Maya’s Blog, readership is now climbing up to the millions.
When we last saw Maya, she’d left her abusive family and finally gotten the one room apartment that she had wanted, decorated with fairy lights and a coffee mug. Safe. But Gary the Grim Reaper who had helped saved her from the serial killer was missing, presumably because he violated his own laws.
Brew Diligence, a book of endless quotable sentences and incredibly moving moments, follows the same perfect format and flow of the first book. Maya, our brave woman barista continues to blog about her experiences to her followers who became her friends and family.
From 5 to millions, chapters of her moving forward, overcoming some huge challenges with hilarious stories and enormous amounts of pain and anxiety. And bravery.
Now she and her friends who are also her colleagues are in the midst of the fight to free Gary the Grim Reaper from his prison sentence for helping her escape from the serial killer.
Gary, another fabulous character, is missing not from the story but from the hole he left behind in the close relationships he formed. Plus his ghost cat, too, who left behind, is ruling the apartment at Maya’s.
There’s so much trauma and emotional scars here in this story. It’s balanced by the author’s carefully crafted humor and sensitivity to the subject matter and scenes. Hilarity and horror. Love and hate. Death and rebirth.
Despair and hope. It’s brilliant and brutal that all these things exist within this universe, these characters and their stories.
Is this really only the second book? Surely not. I’m astonished at the fact that this is so amazing on every level of excellence.
Yes, highly recommended. If I had more stars in the rating, they’d be there. So many stars!
Love this so much! Including the covers.
Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.
MAYA’S BLOGS:
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5 (coming soon)
August 23, 2025
Chaotic, Caffeinated, and Completely Captivating
Delightful, again! Holy cow, nothing could have prepared me for the ride this book took me on. It was fun, beautiful, and at times surprisingly sad. The emotional range was huge, and I loved every second of it. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next I was sitting in quiet reflection, and somehow it all flowed together seamlessly.
While the story is still told in the quirky blog post format that makes this series so unique, this one leaned more into traditional storytelling as well. That balance made it feel fuller, more layered, and really satisfying as the second entry in the series.
What really stole my heart, though, was Maya’s relationship with Scorpion. Their connection is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and it gave the book such a rich, emotional core. Pair that with Maya’s wild, caffeine-charged chaos and the genuine community she builds just by being herself, and it’s impossible not to adore her journey.
And talk about growth! Watching her go from just 12 readers to over 49 million in just over a year was jaw-dropping. That leap perfectly captured both the humor and the heart of her story, making the ending all the more satisfying while leaving me itching for what comes next.
This was clever, heartfelt, and endlessly fun. Now I’m more than ready to jump straight into book three!
**Also… someone really needs to get on the merch situation because I officially need a Beanford plushie, a Luna keychain, and a Hope hoodie, plus a boxer briefs collection to round it all out. And while we’re at it, can anyone point me toward a magical fae library shelving system? That feels less like a want and more like an absolute necessity.
Delightful, again! Holy cow, nothing could have prepared me for the ride this book took me on. It was fun, beautiful, and at times surprisingly sad. The emotional range was huge, and I loved every second of it. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next I was sitting in quiet reflection, and somehow it all flowed together seamlessly.
While the story is still told in the quirky blog post format that makes this series so unique, this one leaned more into traditional storytelling as well. That balance made it feel fuller, more layered, and really satisfying as the second entry in the series.
What really stole my heart, though, was Maya’s relationship with Scorpion. Their connection is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and it gave the book such a rich, emotional core. Pair that with Maya’s wild, caffeine-charged chaos and the genuine community she builds just by being herself, and it’s impossible not to adore her journey.
And talk about growth! Watching her go from just 12 readers to over 49 million in just over a year was jaw-dropping. That leap perfectly captured both the humor and the heart of her story, making the ending all the more satisfying while leaving me itching for what comes next.
This was clever, heartfelt, and endlessly fun. Now I’m more than ready to jump straight into book three!
**Also… someone really needs to get on the merch situation because I officially need a Beanford plushie, a Luna keychain, and a Hope hoodie, plus a boxer briefs collection to round it all out. And while we’re at it, can anyone point me toward a magical fae library shelving system? That feels less like a want and more like an absolute necessity.
September 15, 2025
The third installment in the Coffee & Corpse series brings us back to Maya, the human barista at a paranormal coffee shop, who is determined to undo the erasure of the Grim Reaper who once saved her life. Told largely through witty blog posts and responses, the book blends humor and snark with deeper undercurrents.
Maya’s journey has shades of Brandon Sanderson’s Legion in the way she evolves—at the start of the series, she was broke, estranged from her toxic family, and struggling to survive on her own. Now she’s surrounded by an oddball but devoted supernatural support system. Her boyfriend, a demon who is tender and loyal yet a terrifying avenger when crossed, toes the line between romance and toxicity—a bad boy trope I’m usually wary of, but it works in this quirky paranormal setting. She also has witch friends sending her peace and protection spells, a ghost cat with the grumpy energy of someone before their first coffee, and mermaids who range from lifesaving to lethal. Each character brings their own brand of chaos and care, pushing Maya to grow in unexpected ways.
While side plots keep the pace lively, what stands out is how McKenzie layers humor and lighthearted banter over more serious themes, giving weight without dragging the story down. The mix of blog-style storytelling, magical absurdities, and heartfelt connections makes for a fun, quirky, and thoughtful read.
Maya’s journey has shades of Brandon Sanderson’s Legion in the way she evolves—at the start of the series, she was broke, estranged from her toxic family, and struggling to survive on her own. Now she’s surrounded by an oddball but devoted supernatural support system. Her boyfriend, a demon who is tender and loyal yet a terrifying avenger when crossed, toes the line between romance and toxicity—a bad boy trope I’m usually wary of, but it works in this quirky paranormal setting. She also has witch friends sending her peace and protection spells, a ghost cat with the grumpy energy of someone before their first coffee, and mermaids who range from lifesaving to lethal. Each character brings their own brand of chaos and care, pushing Maya to grow in unexpected ways.
While side plots keep the pace lively, what stands out is how McKenzie layers humor and lighthearted banter over more serious themes, giving weight without dragging the story down. The mix of blog-style storytelling, magical absurdities, and heartfelt connections makes for a fun, quirky, and thoughtful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
Wow! This was a cracker of a sequel. I binged this immediately after finishing Espresso Yourself, and I loved it. Maya is coming to terms with the fallout of the previous book. What happened messed her up a bit, and now that she has a tight group of friends, a potential boyfriend, and a certain celebrity status (thanks to her viral posts taking off), the world should be Maya's oyster. And yet, she still feels guilty about Gary. So, Maya and company saddle up, once again, to free Gary, and stick it to D.E.A.D. This was so engrossing.
Once again, the blog post format is quite addictive. The posts are friendly, chatty, and feel like you're listening to a friend. The replies are quirky and supportive - creepy posts will be blocked and investigated - and I find it's a case of "... just one more post..." until you've completed the whole book! There are some dark moments in the second half of the book, I don't want to say what exactly and spoil the story, but it was unexpected and horrible. Necessary for the plot, but not what you want to happen to a great character.
Definitely a series that I'm going to continue on with. Love Maya and Shadow (Vex is also flirty), Charlotte is a Boss, and I think there should be more of Princess in the future.
4.5 stars
Once again, the blog post format is quite addictive. The posts are friendly, chatty, and feel like you're listening to a friend. The replies are quirky and supportive - creepy posts will be blocked and investigated - and I find it's a case of "... just one more post..." until you've completed the whole book! There are some dark moments in the second half of the book, I don't want to say what exactly and spoil the story, but it was unexpected and horrible. Necessary for the plot, but not what you want to happen to a great character.
Definitely a series that I'm going to continue on with. Love Maya and Shadow (Vex is also flirty), Charlotte is a Boss, and I think there should be more of Princess in the future.
4.5 stars
September 1, 2025
Marmite!!! Yes!!!!
As a lifelong Marmite fan, I agree! This book is like Marmite!
I’ve read a few historical publications of letters exchanged between people.. Also diaries published as books, which are basically ancient blogs. I like this better because comments are part of it. Also guest posts. The format tells the story and the story is great stuff!
Appreciate the mention of the Stride of Pride!! I’ve NEVER understood the walk of shame. Maybe it was growing up with a meanly judgmental mother,. Stride of Pride felt like liberation through bed head, panda eyes and last nights clothes. :)
Love love love the turning 30 quote!!! Epic!
“Too old to be a child prodigy. Too young to be a crypt keeper…”
Finally THANK YOU for how domestic violence is shown in a realistic and non judgmental way! 💟
As a lifelong Marmite fan, I agree! This book is like Marmite!
I’ve read a few historical publications of letters exchanged between people.. Also diaries published as books, which are basically ancient blogs. I like this better because comments are part of it. Also guest posts. The format tells the story and the story is great stuff!
Appreciate the mention of the Stride of Pride!! I’ve NEVER understood the walk of shame. Maybe it was growing up with a meanly judgmental mother,. Stride of Pride felt like liberation through bed head, panda eyes and last nights clothes. :)
Love love love the turning 30 quote!!! Epic!
“Too old to be a child prodigy. Too young to be a crypt keeper…”
Finally THANK YOU for how domestic violence is shown in a realistic and non judgmental way! 💟
October 3, 2025
Chaos, emotion and feistiness
This book is a solid win, especially in addition to the first winner of a book. It's fast paced, a bit surprising, absolutely off the wall in all the best ways. The blog presentation is an unusual style but suits the story so well. The characters are fantastic. The antagonist plotline and resolution is perfect. Everything about this book was enjoyable from start to finish.
It's a closed door story but is very fantasy oriented. It has a love storyline but it's not the entire story by far. It's not reality people; if you want realism go find something else. If you want joy, love and gut wrenching moments, this is the book for you.
This book is a solid win, especially in addition to the first winner of a book. It's fast paced, a bit surprising, absolutely off the wall in all the best ways. The blog presentation is an unusual style but suits the story so well. The characters are fantastic. The antagonist plotline and resolution is perfect. Everything about this book was enjoyable from start to finish.
It's a closed door story but is very fantasy oriented. It has a love storyline but it's not the entire story by far. It's not reality people; if you want realism go find something else. If you want joy, love and gut wrenching moments, this is the book for you.
October 5, 2025
This book set off alarm bells for me, but I truly hoped it was a one and done issue with aggressive and needless violence against women.
It isn't...
I'm not sure what the author's issues are, but she truly seems to really hate women. There was no need for detailed description of one being brutally attacked.
After the comedy themes of the first book, and of the first 2/3 of this book, it was shocking and completely out of place.
I cannot recommend this book or any of the ones after due to the author's weird obsession with violently harming characters over and over, and telling us about it in detail.
It isn't...
I'm not sure what the author's issues are, but she truly seems to really hate women. There was no need for detailed description of one being brutally attacked.
After the comedy themes of the first book, and of the first 2/3 of this book, it was shocking and completely out of place.
I cannot recommend this book or any of the ones after due to the author's weird obsession with violently harming characters over and over, and telling us about it in detail.
December 21, 2025
The novelty fizzled out and I found myself more annoyed than entertained. It did have its moments where I laughed but majority of the book was about affirmations how great the heroine was, how we have to stand for ourselves and protect week (that's obvious, you don't have to say it in every other chapters) and how swoony her boyfriend was. Quite a lot of people rage against women's objectification, especially women, but don't mind men's objectification, which was rather nauseating here. That's what I call double standard. I am done.
November 13, 2025
I love this book series. I feel invested in the characters. Like I've bought into a Pulse subscription cult or something. I've just bought the 3rd book Cursed Gounds. I am still emotionally spiralling about Maya being killed and resurrected by a Mermaid. I love the way the blog form chapters help me enjoy it much more than I thought it was.
Thank you so much for hitting all the feels with these stories and for making each character real and either likeable or hated in equal measure.
Thank you so much for hitting all the feels with these stories and for making each character real and either likeable or hated in equal measure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
delayed chores and broken tissue boxes
This second installment of Maya’s blogs is amazing. I couldn’t put it down. I’ve decided chores are for adulting. I’m avoiding that while spontaneously laughing loud enough to wake the slumbering foster pup or crying hard enough to make the cat stare at me with judgement and perhaps nefarious plans of revenge in her eyes. I can’t wait for the next set of posts and more of Maya’s growth.
This second installment of Maya’s blogs is amazing. I couldn’t put it down. I’ve decided chores are for adulting. I’m avoiding that while spontaneously laughing loud enough to wake the slumbering foster pup or crying hard enough to make the cat stare at me with judgement and perhaps nefarious plans of revenge in her eyes. I can’t wait for the next set of posts and more of Maya’s growth.
August 13, 2025
Blown Away… AGAIN!
I have no words for the amount of healing and BIG feelings this book has caused in my heart. Holy roller coaster ride. Have to catch my breath, dry my tears, call my therapist and get my stomach/face to stop hurting from laughing so hard. Cannot wait to jump into the 3rd book!
I have no words for the amount of healing and BIG feelings this book has caused in my heart. Holy roller coaster ride. Have to catch my breath, dry my tears, call my therapist and get my stomach/face to stop hurting from laughing so hard. Cannot wait to jump into the 3rd book!
August 17, 2025
Continuing Saga of Espresso chaos
The first book was great. A different way to tell a story and in this book it continues! I love all the characters that she has created and they come alive still in blog posts and comments! The second book in the series is great as well. We continue on the story and you can almost see everything happening. Ravished through this book too!
The first book was great. A different way to tell a story and in this book it continues! I love all the characters that she has created and they come alive still in blog posts and comments! The second book in the series is great as well. We continue on the story and you can almost see everything happening. Ravished through this book too!
September 7, 2025
incredible
I’ve read the first two books back to back in a caffeinated frenzy, and absolutely loved them. They’re so great that I feel like Maya now lives in my head.
I am obsessed with her narrative arcs and with all the characters’.
The blog format works so so well.
I wish I could wallpaper my house with the pages of these perfect books!
I’ve read the first two books back to back in a caffeinated frenzy, and absolutely loved them. They’re so great that I feel like Maya now lives in my head.
I am obsessed with her narrative arcs and with all the characters’.
The blog format works so so well.
I wish I could wallpaper my house with the pages of these perfect books!
September 29, 2025
love this
I’m not even sure how these books showed up in my suggested reads section on my kindle, but I absolutely love this one, and the previous one. Humor, snark, and touching on important issues while still moving the story forward. Good guys win and the bad guy loses. Moving on to the third book later this evening.
I’m not even sure how these books showed up in my suggested reads section on my kindle, but I absolutely love this one, and the previous one. Humor, snark, and touching on important issues while still moving the story forward. Good guys win and the bad guy loses. Moving on to the third book later this evening.
October 1, 2025
I ate this one up just as much as the first one!
Scorpion is swoon-worthy, I love that Maya is finally learning that she IS important and that people love her, I love how relatable she feels still. Even after everything she's done and been through, she's still her. And I love that!
Will definitely be continuing still 🙂
Scorpion is swoon-worthy, I love that Maya is finally learning that she IS important and that people love her, I love how relatable she feels still. Even after everything she's done and been through, she's still her. And I love that!
Will definitely be continuing still 🙂
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